The Minority in Parliament has accused the Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, of abusing his office by interfering in investigations and weaponising state institutions against political opponents.

Addressing a press conference at the Parliament House yesterday, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, described the conduct of the AG as an overreach that threatens the rule of law and democratic principles.

“The Attorney-General is abusing his office in ordering raids and conducting investigations. The Attorney-General is firstly a legal advisor to the government and an officer of the court.

There is a reason for which the Attorney-General is to remain at arm’s length from investigations,” he said.

“This distance allows for an impartial assessment of whether a prima facie case exists after investigative agencies have completed their work.”

He further criticised the A-G’s approach, arguing that it undermined due process and sought to convict opposition figures in the court of public opinion before any legal proceedings take place.

“The new approach where the Attorney-General seeks to convict political opponents in the court of public opinion before going to the court of competent jurisdiction is an abomination that should not be countenanced. The courts of Ghana are the only ones that should be allowed to convict or acquit,” he stated.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe accused the Attorney-General of taking on investigative functions that do not fall within his remit.

“Since when did we have an Attorney-General who himself orders arrest, conducts investigations and examines his own evidence to determine if a prima facie case is being docketed against a suspect?” he queried.

This approach, he said, sets a dangerous precedent, is highly improper and leads to bias right from the investigation process.

The Minority alleged that recent security operations targeting former officials, including the immediate past Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, were politically motivated and aimed at intimidating opposition figures.

Referring to Dr Addison’s case, Mr Shaib questioned the legality of the security operation, stating that if due process had been followed, there would have been no need for an apology from the National Security Coordinator.

“If the actions were truly lawful and above board, why did the National Security Coordinator find it necessary to call and apologise to Dr Addison via the phone of Mr Richard Jakpa?” he asked.

Beyond Dr Addison, the Minority outlined a series of similar incidents, alleging a coordinated effort to harass political opponents.

“Among those affected are the following: Former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, whose private residence was raided on February 10, 2025, by National Security operatives led by Richard Jakpa. These operatives, some armed and in balaclavas, conducted an extensive search without presenting a warrant. Mr Ofori-Atta was reportedly out of the country during the incident,” he stated.

More raids

He further cited the case of the former Energy Minister and MP for Hohoe, John Peter Amewu.

“Again, on March 5, 2025, armed individuals identifying themselves as National Security operatives reportedly invaded the residence of former Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Hohoe, John Peter Amewu, in Hohoe, Volta Region.”

The press conference also highlighted the cases of other former government officials.

“The former Director of Operations at the Jubilee House, Lord Oblitey Commey, also had his home raided on January 31, 2025, by National Security operatives seizing six of his vehicles.

The former Public Procurement Authority Chairman, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, was not left out when National Intelligence Bureau officials visited and arrested him at his private residence on February 23, 2025.”

He also referenced the arrest of the former Director of the National Signals Bureau.

“The former Director of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu Boahene, on Thursday, March 21, 2025, was also arrested upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from London.”

Political distraction

According to the Minority, these actions amount to a systematic abuse of state power designed to distract from the government’s failings.

“We are clear in our minds that the new government, seeking to shift attention from the initial challenges they are having with their budget, the fight against galamsey and the Dumsor situation which is leading to the burning of markets, has adopted this tactic to intimidate political opponents,” Hon. Shaib stated.